Eric’s practice focuses on municipal law, business and real estate matters and civil litigation, as he guides his clients through a wide variety of municipal law issues, including public works, condemnations and personnel and labor issues. Eric advises clients in the formation of new business entities and transactions and assists clients in resolving a variety of contractual and civil legal disputes. He has civil litigation experience in both state and federal courts at the trial and appellate court levels.
Representative Matters
Serves as general legal counsel for numerous municipal agencies. Successfully guides municipal clients in all aspects of municipal law, including: public works and bidding issues, Public Records Act and Open Public Meetings Act compliance, governance issues, intergovernmental contracting, personnel and labor relations, real estate transactions and condemnation matters.
Serves as general legal counsel for a local housing authority, assisting in a variety of legal matters, including: redevelopment and affordable housing projects, solicitation of development consultants to assist in the redevelopment efforts and construction of affordable housing projects through a variety of financing methods, acquisition and sale of real property, public works contracting and prevailing wage issues under federal and state law.
Represented a local water district, taking a lead role in negotiations between Seattle Public Utilities and numerous local water purveyors for a 50-year water supply contract to secure a safe and reliable supply of water for the water district’s customers.
Assisted a local woman-owned business in preparing and processing an application for certification as a woman-owned business through the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises. Enabled the business to secure additional business opportunities.
Guided a small software development company in its efforts to grow its business. Assisted the software company in negotiating and drafting software licensing agreements with large corporations to ensure a balance between the need to protect the client’s intellectual property rights and the other deal points of the business transaction.
Assisted a closely held corporation to develop and implement a succession planning strategy that enabled the majority owner to retire. Facilitated the continuation of the business by structuring the transaction to allow certain long-term employees to buy the company.
Represented a local cabinet company in a case against one of the largest paint and coating manufacturers in the United States Obtained a technical document that helped convince the jury that the coating mixing instructions provided by the manufacturer were erroneous and obtained a $1.8 million verdict for the client
Publications & Presentations
Panelist, Utility Financial Management Panel, Trends, Current Topics and Issues, Washington Financial Officers Association, September 2013
Presenter, Utility Billing and Collection Issues Webinar, Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington, September 2013
Presenter, Commissioner Workshop, The Open Public Meetings Act, Washington Association of Sewer and Water Districts, January 2012
Professional & Civic Involvement
King County Bar Association, Member
Washington State Bar Association, Member
Personal
Eric enjoys spending time with his family, golfing and other outdoor activities.
